Network-management device, network-management method, and computer program product

ABSTRACT

A network-management device includes a map storing unit and a map state storing unit. The map storing unit stores therein a map created based on information on network devices. The map state storing unit stores therein a creation state indicating that creation of the map is in process or completed in association with the map. When creation of the map is in process, disclosure of the map is prohibited, and all the network devices are notified that creation of the map is in process. When creation of the map is completed, it is checked whether all the network devices are laid out on the map. When all the network devices are laid out on the map, disclosure of the map is permitted.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to and incorporates by referencethe entire contents of Japanese priority document, 2006-224590 filed inJapan on Aug. 21, 2006.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology for managing a networkdevice.

2. Description of the Related Art

There has been need of a technology for managing network devices, suchas printer, multifunction product (MFP), and server, operating on anetwork. For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No.2000-194626 discloses a conventional technology in which all networkdevices registered to a network are detected to create a list and a map.

However, with the conventional technology, if there is a large number ofnetwork devices, considerable time is required to lay out the map, andit is often the case that creation of a list or a map is interrupted orcarried over to the following day. Such an incomplete list or map ismissing some information and does not match an actual situation, andtherefore, cannot be provided to users. Even if the list or map isdetermined to be complete, there may be information missing, whichconfuses users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve theproblems in the conventional technology.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a network-managementdevice includes an acquiring unit that acquires device information onall network devices operating on a network, a first storing unit thatstores therein the device information, a display unit that displays thedevice information in a list, a designating unit that designates alayout position on a map where device information on each of the networkdevices is to be laid out, a selecting unit that selects a display imagefor each of the network devices based on type of the network device, acreating unit that creates the map by laying out on the map the deviceinformation on each of the network devices with the display image basedon the layout position, a specifying unit that specifies a creationstate of the map, and a second storing unit that stores therein thecreation state in association with the map.

According to another aspect of the present invention, anetwork-management method includes acquiring device information on allnetwork devices operating on a network, storing the device information,displaying the device information in a list, designating a layoutposition on a map where device information on each of the networkdevices is to be laid out, selecting a display image for each of thenetwork devices based on type of the network device, creating the map bylaying out on the map the device information on each of the networkdevices with the display image based on the layout position, specifyinga creation state of the map, and storing the creation state inassociation with the map.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, a computerprogram product includes a computer usable medium having computerreadable program codes embodied in the medium that, when executed, causea computer to implement the above method.

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical andindustrial significance of this invention will be better understood byreading the following detailed description of presently preferredembodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network-management device according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an example of a login screen of the network-management device;

FIG. 3 is an example of a manager screen of the network-managementdevice;

FIG. 4 is an example of a user screen of the network-management device;

FIG. 5 is an example of a list screen of the network-management device;

FIG. 6 is an example of a map screen of the network-management device;

FIG. 7 is an example of list information stored in thenetwork-management device;

FIG. 8 is an example of map information stored in the network-managementdevice;

FIG. 9 is an example of a creation state stored in thenetwork-management device;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sequence diagrams of operation of thenetwork-management device in response to requests from a networkmanager;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a map storing process performed by thenetwork-management device; and

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of operation of the network-managementdevice in response to requests from a user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detailbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a network-management device 10 according toan embodiment of the invention. The network-management device 10 managesregistration of various network devices on the network. Thenetwork-management device 10 is connected to a network, such as a localarea network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. To thenetwork are also connected a client personal computer (PC) 20, a MFP 30,and a file server 40 provided in an office.

The network is physically connected by an Ethernet® cable such as100BASE-TX. Communication on the network is controlled using a suitableprotocol for each device, such as transmission control protocol/internetprotocol (TCP/IP) and user datagram protocol (UDP)/IP. The devicescapable of communication and connected to the network, such as theclient PC 20, the MFP 30, the file server 40, are hereinaftercollectively referred to as network device.

The network-management device 10 includes a communication controllingunit 100, a web page creating unit 200, an operation controlling unit300, an information managing unit 400, a map managing unit 500, and anoperator managing unit 600. In the following, the network-managementdevice 10 is explained as being accessed from the client PC 20. Thenetwork-management device 10 can be operated through a display (notshown) connected to the network-management device 10. Thenetwork-management device 10 can also be operated from a remote networkdevice via the network.

Examples of applications used in the operation include Internet browsersuch as Internet Explorer®, Mozilla®, and Netscape Navigator®. Theseapplications can be bundled with an operating system (OS) or distributedfor free, and easily available.

The communication controlling unit 100 controls communication wheninformation on the network device is disclosed or acquired by acommunication command. For example, the communication controlling unit100 can be implemented by freeware including a web server such asApache. When the Internet browser is used to operate thenetwork-management device 10, the communication controlling unit 100includes a computer program (communication control program) using webbrowsing protocols, such as hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP).

The web page creating unit 200 creates a structured file written inhypertext markup language (HTML), extensible hypertext markup language(XHTML), and extensible markup language (XML) to be displayed on anoperation screen in response to an instruction from an operator. The webpage creating unit 200 includes a login page creating unit 210, anoperation screen creating unit 220, a list screen creating unit 230, anda map screen creating unit 240.

The login page creating unit 210 creates a login screen as shown in FIG.2 through which a network manager or a user can access thenetwork-management device 10. When the network-management device 10 isstarted, the login screen for entering a login account and a passwordappears. The operation screen creating unit 220 creates an operationscreen used after login. Instructions from an operator vary depending onwhether the operator has logged in as a network manager or a user.Accordingly, an operation screen as shown in FIG. 3 or 4 is createddepending on a logged-in operator.

FIG. 3 is an example of a manager screen 700 of the network-managementdevice 10. The manager screen 700 includes six buttons through which anetwork manager enters commands. The six buttons include Create List710, Display List 720, Create Map 730, Continue 740, End 750, andDisplay Map 760.

The Create List 710 is used to create list information 1000 of networkdevices. The Display List 720 is used to display the list information1000 on the screen. The Create Map 730 is used to create map information2000 of network devices. The Continue 740 is used to designate“continue”, after the map information 2000 is stored, as a creationstate 2300 to indicate that a map is in process of being created. TheEnd 750 is used to designate “end”, after the map information 2000 isstored, as the creation state 2300 to indicate that creation of a map iscompleted. The Display Map 760 is used to display the stored mapinformation 2000 on the screen.

FIG. 4 is an example of a user screen 800 of the network-managementdevice 10. The user screen 800 includes two buttons through which a userenters commands. The two buttons include Display List 810 and DisplayMap 820. The Display List 810 is used to display the list information1000 on the screen. The Display Map 820 is used to display the mapinformation 2000 on the screen.

The list screen creating unit 230 creates a list screen 3000 based onthe list information 1000. FIG. 5 is an example of the list screen 3000.The list screen 3000 displays a list created from the list information1000, containing such information as IP address 1200, media accesscontrol (MAC) address 1300, and specific information 1400 (serialnumber, counter, etc.) of network devices.

The map screen creating unit 240 creates a map screen 4000 based on themap information 2000. FIG. 6 is an example of the map screen 4000. Themap screen 4000 displays the creation state 2300 as well as a mapcreated from the map information 2000, in which name 1100, the IPaddress 1200, and a graphic image 4100 of network devices are displayedat corresponding coordinates 2200.

The operation controlling unit 300 controls the communicationcontrolling unit 100, the web page creating unit 200, the informationmanaging unit 400, the map managing unit 500, and the operator managingunit 600. The operation controlling unit 300 includes a centralprocessing unit (CPU), a read-only memory (ROM), and a random accessmemory (RAM). The CPU operates using a work area of the RAM according toa computer program stored in the ROM, thereby implementing networkmanagement of the embodiment.

The information managing unit 400 manages information obtained fromnetwork devices via the communication controlling unit 100. Theinformation managing unit 400 includes an information acquiring unit 410and an information storing unit 420. The information acquiring unit 410acquires information on network devices, such as the name 1100, the IPaddress 1200, the MAC address 1300, and the specific information 1400included in the list information 1000. The information storing unit 420stores therein the list information 1000 acquired by the informationacquiring unit 410. When network device information related to a networkhaving a plurality of domains is stored, the information is stored foreach network management domain.

FIG. 7 is an example of the list information 1000. The list information1000 is a list including the name 1100, the IP address 1200, the MACaddress 1300, and the specific information 1400. Details of operationprocedures for information entry do not enter into the presentinvention, and is not described herein.

The map managing unit 500 manages the map information 2000 and thecreation state 2300 based on the list information 1000 stored in theinformation storing unit 420 and the coordinates 2200 indicated by thenetwork manager. The map managing unit 500 includes a map storing unit510 and a map state storing unit 520. The map storing unit 510 storestherein the map information 2000.

FIG. 8 is an example of the map information 2000. The map information2000 is a list including the name 1100, the IP address 1200, a graphictype 2100, and the coordinates 2200 of network devices. The name 1100and the IP address 1200 are the same as those stored in the listinformation 1000. The map state storing unit 520 stores therein either“continue” or “end” selected as the creation state 2300 in the mapinformation 2000.

FIG. 9 is an example of how the creation state 2300 is stored. In FIG.9, the creation state 2300 is stored in a list including network domainname and map-creation state indicating whether map creation is inprocess or completed. When the network has a plurality of domains, themap-creation state is stored for each network domain.

The operator managing unit 600 controls access to the network-managementdevice 10. The operator managing unit 600 includes an operatorauthenticating unit 610 and an operator information storing unit 620.The operator information storing unit 620 stores therein operatorinformation used for authentication by the operator authenticating unit610. When the operator enters a login account and a password on thelogin screen shown in FIG. 2, the operator authenticating unit 610compares the entered information with the operator information stored inthe operator information storing unit 620, and authenticates theoperator who requests access permission.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are sequence diagrams of operation of thenetwork-management device 10 in response to requests from a networkmanager.

A login sequence of a network manager is described with reference tosection A of FIG. 10. An operator enters a login account and a passwordon the login screen as a network manager (step S100). After that, theoperator authenticating unit 610 compares the entered information withthe operator information stored in the operator information storing unit620 (step S101). When authenticated successfully, the operator isallowed to access the network-management device 10 as a network manager(step S102). The operation controlling unit 300 instructs the operationscreen creating unit 220 to create the manager screen 700 (step S103),and the manager screen 700 is displayed (step S104).

A list-display sequence is described with reference to section B of FIG.10. The network manager requests display of the list information 1000through the Display List 720 (step S200). Upon receiving the request,the operation controlling unit 300 instructs the information managingunit 400 to read the list information 1000 of network devices stored inthe information storing unit 420 (step S201). The information managingunit 400 reads the list information 1000 (step S202). The operationcontrolling unit 300 instructs the list screen creating unit 230 tocreate the list screen 3000 (step S203), and the list screen 3000 isdisplayed (step S204).

A map-creation sequence is described with reference to section C of FIG.10. The network manager accesses an initial map screen through theCreate Map 730 (step S300). The web page creating unit 200 creates theinitial map screen (step S301), and the initial map screen is displayed(step S302). The network manager arranges a network device on the map(step S303). The network manager requests to store the created mapinformation 2000 (step S304). In response to the request, the mapmanaging unit 500 stores the map information 2000 in the map storingunit 510 (step S305). When the storage is completed (step S306), thenetwork manager is notified that the map has been stored (step S307).The network manager proceeds to step S400 or S500 to designate thecreation state 2300. (step S308).

A map-creation continuation sequence is described with reference tosection D of FIG. 11. The network manager designates “continue” as thecreation state 2300 through the Continue 740 (step S400). The mapmanaging unit 500 stores “continue” in the map state storing unit 520 asthe creation state 2300 (step S401). When the storage is completed (stepS402), disclosure of the map information 2000 is prohibited (step S403).At the same time, the network manager is notified that the creationstate 2300 “continue” has been stored (step S404).

A map-creation completion sequence is described with reference tosection E of FIG. 11. The network manager designates “end” as thecreation state 2300 through the End 750 (step S500). The operationcontrolling unit 300 instructs the communication controlling unit 100 tocheck information on all network devices (step S501). The operationcontrolling unit 300 receives information on all network devices andupdates the list information 1000 using a known method in networktechnology (step S502). The map managing unit 500 compares the listinformation 1000 and the map information 2000 (step S503).

The operation controlling unit 300 receives a result of the comparisonbetween the list information 1000 and the map information 2000 (stepS504). The operation controlling unit 300 checks whether the listinformation 1000 and the map information 2000 match (step S505). If thelist information 1000 and the map information 2000 do not match, thenetwork manager is notified of network abnormality. Details of thenotification do not enter into the present invention, and is notdescribed herein. The map managing unit 500 stores “end” in the mapstate storing unit 520 as the creation state 2300 (step S506). When thestorage is completed (step S507), disclosure of the map information 2000is permitted (step S508). At the same time, the network manager isnotified that the creation state 2300 “end” has been stored (step S509).

A map display sequence is described with reference to section F of FIG.11. The network manager designates the map information 2000 to bedisplayed through the Display Map 760 (step S600). The map managing unit500 reads the designated map information 2000 (step S601). The operationcontrolling unit 300 instructs the map screen creating unit 240 tocreate a map screen corresponding to the map information 2000 (stepS602), and the map screen 4000 is displayed (step S603).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a map storing process performed by thenetwork-management device 10 to store the map information 2000 and thecreation state 2300. After the map information 2000 is created (stepS1100), the network manager selects whether to store the map information2000 (step S1101). When, the map information 2000 is not to be stored(No at step S1101), the process control returns to step S1100. When themap information 2000 is to be stored (Yes at step S1101), the mapstoring process is performed (step S1102). The network manager isinstructed to select the creation state 2300 (step S1103). When“continue” is selected, “continue” is stored as the creation state 2300(step S1104). At the same time, disclosure of the map information 2000is prohibited (step S1105).

When “end” is selected, an instruction to check information on allnetwork devices is issued (step S1106). Based on information on allnetwork devices received through a known method in network technology,the list information 1000 is updated (step S1107). The list information1000 is compared with the map information 2000 (step S1108).

It is checked whether the list information 1000 matches the mapinformation 2000 (step S1109). When they do not match (No at stepS1109), the network manager is notified of network abnormality (stepS1110). When they match (Yes at step S1109), “end” is stored as thecreation state 2300 (step S1111). At the same time, the disclosure ofthe map information 2000 is permitted (step S1112).

FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram of operation of the network-managementdevice 10 in response to requests from a user.

A login sequence performed by a user is described with reference tosection G of FIG. 13. An operator enters a login account and a passwordon the login screen as a user (step S700). After that, the operatorauthenticating unit 610 compares the entered information with theoperator information stored in the operator information storing unit 620(step S701). When authenticated successfully, the operator is allowed toaccess the network-management device 10 as a user (step S702). Theoperation controlling unit 300 instructs the operation screen creatingunit 220 to create the user screen 800 (step S703), and the user screen800 is displayed (step S704).

A list-display sequence is described with reference to section H of FIG.13. The user requests display of the list information 1000 through theDisplay List 810 (step S800). Upon receiving the request, the operationcontrolling unit 300 instructs the information managing unit 400 to readthe list information 1000 stored in the information storing unit 420(step S801). The information managing unit 400 reads the listinformation 1000 (step S802). The operation controlling unit 300instructs the list screen creating unit 230 to create the list screen3000 (step S803), and the list screen 3000 is displayed (step S804).

A map-creation continuation sequence is described with reference tosection I of FIG. 13. The user requests display of the map information2000 to be displayed through the Display Map 820 (step S900). The mapmanaging unit 500 reads the map information 2000 (step S901). Theoperation controlling unit 300 confirms that the creation state is“continue” (step S902). Because the map disclosure is prohibited, theuser is notified that the map is in process of being created (stepS903).

A map-creation completion sequence is described with reference tosection J of FIG. 13. The user designates the map information 2000 to bedisplayed through the Display Map 820 (step S1000). The map managingunit 500 reads the designated map information 2000 (step S1001). Theoperation controlling unit 300 confirms that the creation state 2300 is“end” (step S1002). Because map disclosure is permitted, the operationcontrolling unit 300 instructs the map screen creating unit 240 tocreate the map screen 4000 (step S1003), and the map screen 4000 isdisplayed (step S1004).

As described above, according to the embodiment, creation state of a mapthat indicates the management state of network devices on the screen isdesignated and stored. Appropriate processing is performed depending onthe creation state. As a result, operation of managing network devicescan be facilitated and performed without confusing a user on thenetwork.

A computer program can be executed on a computer to realize the sameeffect or function as the network-management device shown in FIG. 1.Such a computer program is provides as being stored in acomputer-readable recording medium and executed. Examples of therecording medium include a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), and adigital versatile disk (DVD).

Although the invention has been described with respect to a specificembodiment for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims arenot to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying allmodifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein setforth.

1. A network-management device comprising: an acquiring unit thatacquires device information on all network devices operating on anetwork; a first storing unit that stores therein the deviceinformation; a display unit that displays the device information in alist; a designating unit that designates a layout position on a mapwhere device information on each of the network devices is to be laidout; a selecting unit that selects a display image for each of thenetwork devices based on type of the network device; a creating unitthat creates the map by laying out on the map the device information oneach of the network devices with the display image based on the layoutposition; a specifying unit that specifies a creation state of the map;and a second storing unit that stores therein the creation state inassociation with the map.
 2. The network-management device according toclaim 1, wherein the creation state includes a first creation stateindicating that creation of the map is in process; and a second creationstate indicating that creation of the map is completed.
 3. Thenetwork-management device according to claim 2, further comprising aprohibiting unit that prohibits disclosure of the map when thespecifying unit specifies the first creation state.
 4. Thenetwork-management device according to claim 2, further comprising anotifying unit that notifies the network devices that creation of themap is in process when the specifying unit specifies the first creationstate.
 5. The network-management device according to claim 2, furthercomprising a checking unit that checks, when the specifying unitspecifies the second creation state, whether the device information onall the network devices is laid out on the map, wherein the secondstoring unit stores therein the second creation state as the creationstate only when the checking unit determines that the device informationon all the network devices is laid but on the map.
 6. Anetwork-management method comprising: acquiring device information onall network devices operating on a network; storing the deviceinformation; displaying the device information in a list; designating alayout position on a map where device information on each of the networkdevices is to be laid out; selecting a display image for each of thenetwork devices based on type of the network device; creating the map bylaying out on the map the device information on each of the networkdevices with the display image based on the layout position; specifyinga creation state of the map; and storing the creation state inassociation with the map.
 7. The network-management method according toclaim 6, wherein the creation state includes a first creation stateindicating that creation of the map is in process; and a second creationstate indicating that creation of the map is completed.
 8. Thenetwork-management method according to claim 7, further comprisingprohibiting disclosure of the map when the first creation state isspecified at the specifying.
 9. The network-management method accordingto claim 7, further comprising notifying the network devices thatcreation of the map is in process when the first creation state isspecified at the specifying.
 10. The network-management method accordingto claim 7, further comprising checking, when the second creation stateis specified at the specifying, whether the device information on allthe network devices is laid out on the map, wherein the storing thecreation state includes storing the second creation state as thecreation state only when it is determined at the checking that thedevice information on all the network devices is laid out on the map.11. A computer program product comprising a computer usable mediumhaving computer readable program codes embodied in the medium that, whenexecuted, causes a computer to execute: acquiring device information onall network devices operating on a network; storing the deviceinformation; displaying the device information in a list; designating alayout position on a map where device information on each of the networkdevices is to be laid out; selecting a display image for each of thenetwork devices based on type of the network device; creating the map bylaying out on the map the device information on each of the networkdevices with the display image based on the layout position; specifyinga creation state of the map; and storing the creation state inassociation with the map.
 12. The computer program product according toclaim 11, wherein the creation state includes a first creation stateindicating that creation of the map is in process; and a second creationstate indicating that creation of the map is completed.
 13. The computerprogram product according to claim 12, further comprising prohibitingdisclosure of the map when the first creation state is specified at thespecifying.
 14. The computer program product according to claim 12,further comprising notifying the network devices that creation of themap is in process when the first creation state is specified at thespecifying.
 15. The computer program product according to claim 12,further comprising checking, when the second creation state is specifiedat the specifying, whether the device information on all the networkdevices is laid out on the map, wherein the storing the creation stateincludes storing the second creation state as the creation state onlywhen it is determined at the checking that the device information on allthe network devices is laid out on the map.